This just posted on CNN.com - Paging Dr. Gupta Blog
As a parent of a 5 year old on the Autism Spectrum, I can confirm that early intervention is crucial, not just for the individual, but also giving the whole family a sense of understanding, and some relief – like we are actually taking action to help improve the prospects of the next generation.
There is research to support that intervention can be successful in older individual too, but I see the hopelessness and exhaustion in the faces of the parents I meet and I feel that action needs to be taken immediately to ensure that their children’s miss understood brilliance is not overlooked, or worse.
If the growth of incidence of Autism and related conditions are even close to accurate, we can look forward to a generation where the most brilliant individuals struggle with the day-to-day activities.
The workplace and our social environment has to do more to support and accept every individual on the Autism Spectrum, because each of us have so much to offer, it would be a crime not to take advantage of this “new intelligence”.
What we face as a nation and perhaps as a race is within each and every one of us. We have a choice to act or discriminate. Posted here Just in case it get rejected.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Wikipedia - a learning experience indeed.
Recently, I visit the wikipedia site with the intention of editing a page. I could have opted for something trivial like the Christmas tree, but I chose to edit the page for Autism – I added a remark about the instances of autism in boys being higher. I supported it with a link for ASA, ( Autism Society of America)
My research was limited to references to the CDC (Center for Disease control and prevention )quotes Autism as four times more likely in boys than in girls)
My comment was removed over night, and removal was justified by a wiki-er with far more knowledge of wiki-ing procedure and luckily for me, made time to write back explaining how things get to stay on the wiki pages.
While I am learning SO much, I am also blown away because only ‘real’ fact I knew about Autism is not a ‘fact‘ at all. The CDC makes this statement, as do many of the organisations to which I belong, and I absorbed the ‘accepted knowledge’ and assumed it to be correct because it is from a “reliable source” The truth may be that there is little of no research to support much of what is presented, and possibly we are misinformed.
Wiki-ers are encouraged to base their statements on facts referencing peer-reviewed research from one of the recognized journals.
Sadly I cannot invest the time to look into the research at this time as I am as always committed to the furtherance of those associated with Autism to make their way in this world, but I am sure that many parents and educators take for granted what they told by official organisations and I am considering the detrimental effects.
What other non–subjective assumptions have I made?
My concern is that we know so little, and much of what we learn, absorbed, accept is ‘hear-say or Chinese whispers or worse – manipulative propaganda.
I am not one for conspiracy theories, but now I have to re-think all my “accepted knowledge” about Autism and consider everything subjectively.
The truth is out there!
Keep on keeping on.
My research was limited to references to the CDC (Center for Disease control and prevention )quotes Autism as four times more likely in boys than in girls)
My comment was removed over night, and removal was justified by a wiki-er with far more knowledge of wiki-ing procedure and luckily for me, made time to write back explaining how things get to stay on the wiki pages.
While I am learning SO much, I am also blown away because only ‘real’ fact I knew about Autism is not a ‘fact‘ at all. The CDC makes this statement, as do many of the organisations to which I belong, and I absorbed the ‘accepted knowledge’ and assumed it to be correct because it is from a “reliable source” The truth may be that there is little of no research to support much of what is presented, and possibly we are misinformed.
Wiki-ers are encouraged to base their statements on facts referencing peer-reviewed research from one of the recognized journals.
Sadly I cannot invest the time to look into the research at this time as I am as always committed to the furtherance of those associated with Autism to make their way in this world, but I am sure that many parents and educators take for granted what they told by official organisations and I am considering the detrimental effects.
What other non–subjective assumptions have I made?
My concern is that we know so little, and much of what we learn, absorbed, accept is ‘hear-say or Chinese whispers or worse – manipulative propaganda.
I am not one for conspiracy theories, but now I have to re-think all my “accepted knowledge” about Autism and consider everything subjectively.
The truth is out there!
Keep on keeping on.
Monday, December 18, 2006
My friend ( hope I can call you that) and co-student on the ASD cert Program at Antioch.http://www.antiochne.edu/ap/asd/default.cfm?ref=homepage Mhttp://mcanthink.blogspot.com/ - Love the young mentor idea,,,not sure if this helps but with my son - PDD NOS in Kindergarten, we allow him to choose whom he wishes to accompany him on 'specials' body breaks and social walks. He gets to choose and we have the opportunity to learn why he is choosing particular friends, and teach friendship qualities in terms that a 5/6 year old may understand. All of his friends want to be chosen and the classroom teacher and his aide will cycle the choices so they all 'share' my son and all get to experience what he does when he's out of the classroom.
Is this like a baby step to mentoring? I don’t know - but it's sure is away to promote social interactions, and empathy/tolerance.
Recently, we attended a tree lighting and seasonal singsong - short story = is that most of the kids performing were older - and one of my son's friends invited him and my daughter to step up and join in. My son chose not to but it was my daughter’s first time 'performing' in front of a crowd, and it was a positive experience. I knew I could trust the older (1 st grader) friend with my daughter and could not choose a better peer mentor for her and my son. I guess I have to seek those special individuals who have natural mentoring skills - even at a young age and engineer those opportunities for both my Children. Thanks for making me think of this. You are a star! Twinkle bright now.
Is this like a baby step to mentoring? I don’t know - but it's sure is away to promote social interactions, and empathy/tolerance.
Recently, we attended a tree lighting and seasonal singsong - short story = is that most of the kids performing were older - and one of my son's friends invited him and my daughter to step up and join in. My son chose not to but it was my daughter’s first time 'performing' in front of a crowd, and it was a positive experience. I knew I could trust the older (1 st grader) friend with my daughter and could not choose a better peer mentor for her and my son. I guess I have to seek those special individuals who have natural mentoring skills - even at a young age and engineer those opportunities for both my Children. Thanks for making me think of this. You are a star! Twinkle bright now.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
be careful what you wish for......
I made it into the advanced counseling! http://www.antiochne.edu/ap/asd/courses.cfmI know I have so much to learn about counseling techniques, terminology, and more, that I was more than a little apprehensive when I enquired about the possibility of getting onto this advanced study, but after a long telephone conversation with Celia Oliver, Ph.D., Psy.D., http://www.antiochne.edu/ap/asd/faculty.cfm it felt right, and fits with the direction in which I think I am headed. Celia is fabulous, and I am sure I will benefit greatly from her instruction.So now I have to follow through with my commitments. Be good to my word, or else that all there is just "words"Those of you that have had the miss-fortune to share a class with me will know that I have words - many - some that you might not understand ( E-N-G-L-I-S-H ) and some even I don't understand - but I going to learn.I am going be good to my words.No new years resolutions for me - I am still working on promises I made over two years ago.....What follows is from my last assignment for the New Hampshire Leadership series http://nhleadership.org/index.html
"Now that I have ‘Leadership’ this is what I can do….. March 30th 2005
Organize. My local school area had yet to implement a child find.I am working with my pre school team to organize an efficient and appropriate child screening system. Currently, I am reaching out to other school districts and areas to find a model that both suits Hinsdale and is effective method of catching children with any signs of developmental delay. Our goal is to have it up and running by this fall.
Plan. I will monitor the progress that my son makes and take the necessary actions to achieve the goal of mainstream, yet appropriate education by the age of 8I will focus on Daisy to ensure she has the supports she needs to be success too.
Mission/Goals. I will spend less money on stuff, and give more thought our environment.
I will exercise 3 times a week.
I will not let my health take a back seat.
I will not feel guilty because I have not done things that I should.
I will feel good that I have made a difference each day.
I will eat less and dance more.
Self Interest.
I plan to complete at least one 1:1 each month, and use it not only as a way to further my self-interest, but to establish my self within the community.
I will construct my life so I can be more effective, and creative. I want to start my own business this year, and attend to it as much as John and Daisy’s education schedule allows, but have it at the forefront of my mind at all times.
I need to measure my performance; I need to be appreciated for what I do well.
Leadership and John has shown me that I am more than a designer, or a mother.I am an advocate. And I like it!
Be more involved, and active.
No longer is it someone else’s job right a letter, or to fight for a right, or be outraged.
I am convinced that Politicians do listen, do read, and sometime even act upon what I have to say. I will have more to say, as I feel more educated.
I know how to get educated, or I know whom to ask.
Motivate.I have found that sharing my ideas and actions with others motivates them to do more.I can lead by example, motivate others and myself to be more active, more impacting, and have a greater sense of achievement.Leadership gave me the knowledge to make a difference.
Thank you Leadership. "http://nhleadership.org/index.html
"Now that I have ‘Leadership’ this is what I can do….. March 30th 2005
Organize. My local school area had yet to implement a child find.I am working with my pre school team to organize an efficient and appropriate child screening system. Currently, I am reaching out to other school districts and areas to find a model that both suits Hinsdale and is effective method of catching children with any signs of developmental delay. Our goal is to have it up and running by this fall.
Plan. I will monitor the progress that my son makes and take the necessary actions to achieve the goal of mainstream, yet appropriate education by the age of 8I will focus on Daisy to ensure she has the supports she needs to be success too.
Mission/Goals. I will spend less money on stuff, and give more thought our environment.
I will exercise 3 times a week.
I will not let my health take a back seat.
I will not feel guilty because I have not done things that I should.
I will feel good that I have made a difference each day.
I will eat less and dance more.
Self Interest.
I plan to complete at least one 1:1 each month, and use it not only as a way to further my self-interest, but to establish my self within the community.
I will construct my life so I can be more effective, and creative. I want to start my own business this year, and attend to it as much as John and Daisy’s education schedule allows, but have it at the forefront of my mind at all times.
I need to measure my performance; I need to be appreciated for what I do well.
Leadership and John has shown me that I am more than a designer, or a mother.I am an advocate. And I like it!
Be more involved, and active.
No longer is it someone else’s job right a letter, or to fight for a right, or be outraged.
I am convinced that Politicians do listen, do read, and sometime even act upon what I have to say. I will have more to say, as I feel more educated.
I know how to get educated, or I know whom to ask.
Motivate.I have found that sharing my ideas and actions with others motivates them to do more.I can lead by example, motivate others and myself to be more active, more impacting, and have a greater sense of achievement.Leadership gave me the knowledge to make a difference.
Thank you Leadership. "http://nhleadership.org/index.html
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